Hervey remounts his horse

Those who prefer their history straight may look askance at the historical novel, particularly if it is military. Accuracy is all. Surely it was the 31st Foot rather than the 38th and was the rifle yet in service and when did the Iron Duke say that it had been a really, really close-run thing?

But Alan Mallinson’s reputation rests on authenticity, for he is a serving soldier who has commanded a cavalry regiment.